Sleeping was an issue and the midfielder’s displays in training suffered.

After failing to pick up the pace of the Premier League he lost his starting berth and was only re-instated when Remi Garde took over.

This was his new lease of life. Finally a manager who believed in him. Yet still no change in his performance levels.

In a lightweight midfield that was battered and bruised by most opponents last term, Veretout suffered.

He couldn’t express himself and show what he was really made of in the attacking third because he had so many defensive duties.

With the right support alongside him, maybe he would have thrived.

Aston Villa's Jordan Veretout applauds the fans after the match

That said, he had a duty to fight and battle himself and he rarely showed those qualities.

Veretout was played out of position far too often which also thwarted his progress.

And in more recent times both Eric Black and Roberto Di Matteo failed to see enough talent to include him in their plans.

That the attack-minded man has moved to Saint Etienne on a season-long loan suggests he could still have a future at the club were he to regain his confidence and develop into the player Villa thought they were signing last summer.

The Ligue 1 side have no option to buy but Veretout would have a lot to do to re-ignite a career a claret and blue.